Sri Lanka — As one of Sri Lanka's leading crisis support lines, 1333 (CCCline) receives a consistently high volume of calls — which makes the well-being of its own team just as important as the support it provides to callers. To care for the people behind the calls, CCC Foundation recently organised a one-day Art and Drama Therapy programme for its staff, volunteers, and crisis supporters.
Caring for the Team That Cares for Others
Supporting people through crisis calls day after day can take a real emotional toll. CCC Foundation places ongoing importance on the wellness of its staff, volunteers, and crisis supporters, regularly checking in on how they are coping and exploring practical ways they can practice self-care. This latest programme was designed specifically to refresh the team's well-being skills and give everyone a space to reset.
A Day of Art and Drama Therapy
The one-day session used art and drama therapy techniques to help participants process stress, express themselves, and reconnect with their own well-being outside the context of crisis work. The programme was described as both successful and informative, with staff, volunteers, and crisis supporters engaging fully throughout the day.
The session also created space for open discussion among all participants — staff, volunteers, and crisis supporters alike — allowing the team to share openly and support one another in a relaxed, judgement-free setting.
Led by Experienced Practitioners
The programme was conducted by Ms. Upeksha and Ms. Ishari, who have worked with CCC Foundation for the past five years and bring extensive experience in art and drama therapy. Their familiarity with the 1333 team, combined with their therapeutic expertise, helped create a session that felt both safe and genuinely restorative for everyone involved.
Why Self-Care for Crisis Supporters Matters
Programmes like this help CCC Foundation ensure that:
Staff, volunteers, and crisis supporters have space to care for their own mental well-being
The team stays refreshed and resilient despite handling a high volume of emotionally demanding calls
Self-care skills are continually updated, not treated as a one-time effort
Open, honest conversation is encouraged within the team itself — the same value 1333 offers its callers
By the end of the day, participants reported feeling genuinely refreshed — a reminder that supporting Sri Lanka's mental well-being also means caring for the people who answer the call.
About the 1333 Crisis Support Line
Established in 2009 at the National Institute of Mental Health, 1333 is a toll-free, tri-lingual (Sinhala, Tamil, English) crisis support line, available 24/7 across Sri Lanka. All calls are handled confidentially and anonymously, offering everyone a safe space to talk.
About CCC Foundation: CCC Foundation is a registered charity organisation in Sri Lanka dedicated to mental well-being and suicide prevention, committed to supporting not only its callers but also the staff, volunteers, and crisis supporters who make its work possible.
